Document 82: "Homemakers," in Susanna Downie, Decade of Achievement: 1977-1987: A Report on a Survey Based on the National Plan of Action for Women (Washington, D.C.: National Women's Conference Committee, 1988), pp. 44-45.
p. 44
HOMEMAKERS
NATIONAL PLAN GOALS:
•federal and state laws should recognize marriage as a partnership of equals •social security should cover homemakers in their own right •property arrangements at divorce should recognize minor children's needs first •enactment in every State of the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act •more effective methods of collection of delinquent support payments •programs for displaced homemakers to help them become self-sufficient.
CURRENT OVERVIEW:
In 1976 there were 4.1 million women who had lost their main source of income through divorce, separation, widowhood or the incapacity of the spouse to work (DOL data). In 1987, the figure has almost tripled, to 11.5 million (1980 Census). 78% of these women are white, 16% are black, and 5% are Hispanic. In 1980, 44% were living below the poverty level, and another 21% were "near poor". Although programs to help these women have multiplied many times over, the population needing help has grown even faster.
Each state has its own divorce laws and nationwide statistics are not compiled. Recently (1987) Lenore Weitzman's work on the unequal financial effects of no-fault divorce has sparked women's reconsideration of divorce laws. Currently, 16 states have ERAs, where all laws, including marriage and divorce laws have been or are being brought into conformity to the principle of the ERA.
There is, as yet, no social security category which covers "unpaid" homemakers. Different federal plans have been proposed but none has yet been enacted into law. Currently, there is no widespread acceptance of the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act. Further, the Uniform Marital Property Act has been enacted by only state – Wisconsin, in 1984, after intensive lobbying by 64 women's and other organizations co-ordinated by the Wisconsin Women's Network, six-years of re-drafting the legislation, and a new governor.
CHILD SUPPORT:
A 1987 Census Bureau report says that 75% of absent fathers pay no child support. Only 2.1 million, out of 8.8 million women-headed families receive full support payments. The average child support payment has decreased since 1983, when it was $2530/yr., to $2220/yr. (1985). 80% of divorced mothers had some child support awarded, but less than 20% of never-married mothers had awards and their average support payment was half that of the average for all women. 70% of white mothers, but only 33% of black mothers and 40% of Hispanic mothers, are awarded some support.
There is little research and no verification of what are the "more effective methods" for collection of support payments awarded as the time of divorce. The obvious best way seems to be to garnishee the non-payer's income. There has been no strong research on cost to the employer and the employer's attitude or willingness to cooperate. In nearly every state, pensions of the spouse are treated as property. Federal law regulates most pensions except state or local government employees pensions. Federally regulated pensions can be garnisheed for child support or alimony payments. The U.S. Census does collect information on alimony and child support; however, the data cannot be analyzed by state.
PROGRAMS FOR DISPLACED HOMEMAKERS:
Programs for displaced homemakers have increased
dramatically, from the estimated 50 that there were in 1977, when the Displaced
Homemaker's Network (DHN) was founded, to over 1000 today (1987). Funding for
these programs comes
p. 45
The first program for displaced homemakers was begun in Oakland, California, by Milo Smith in 1975. Today, the 1000+ programs serve approximately 300,000 people, 98% of whom are women. About 400 of these programs describe themselves as rural.
In general, programs are offered by a paid staff augmented by volunteers. They offer training in job search skills, goal setting and decision making, and some sort of job-specific training or education, as well as strong peer support group components. Other offerings might be: assertiveness training, personal counselling, financial and time management, legal advice, home-based employment exploration, and entrepreneurial training.
In addition to direct service programs, there are now many groups that specialize in legal support or advocacy work. In 1971, the Women's Legal Defense Fund was established to assist women to achieve equality under the law, particularly in the areas of employment and the family. WLDF conducts litigation, public education and monitoring of enforcement, as well as development of public policy. WLDF began as an all-volunteer group working mostly in the Washington DC area, and has become a national advocate of women's legal rights, with an annual budget of $1 million and a paid staff of 16, serving more than 6000 women a year.
The National Center on Women and Family Law was founded in 1979, and does extensive education and advocacy support work, with emphasis on battered women's rights and child support and custody issues. They are the best source for information about current case and statutory law developments, and are especially useful for lawyers.
Additional legislation in support of displaced homemakers:
1) The Higher Education Act amendments, beginning in 1989, will not compute a woman's home equity assets in assessing her eligibility for financial aid;
2) The Health Insurance Continuation Act (1986) allows spouses who are divorced or widowed to continue company medical coverage for 3 years;
3) JTPA revision in 1986, names "displaced homemakers" in the listing of special populations to be covered by the job training programs.
—Dr. Kathryn Towns, Executive
Director, PROBE (Potential Re-entry Opportunities in Business and Education, a displaced
homemaker's program in Harrisburg PA) with help from Linda Vogel, a graduate student
assistant of Kay's at Penn State University, Capitol Campus.
RESOURCES:
The Displaced Homemakers' Network, 1416 K St. NW Suite 930, Washington DC 20005. (202) 628-6767.
National Women's Law Center, 1616 P St. NW Suite 100, Washington DC 20036. (202) 328-5160.
Women's Law Project, 125 S. 9th St. Suite 401, Philadelphia PA 19107. (215) 928-9801.
Women's Legal Defense Fund, 2000 P St. NW Suite 400, Washington DC 20036. (202) 887-0364.
National Center on Women and Family Law, (212) 674-8200.
A Status Report on Displaced Homemakers and Single Parents in the United States. 1987. From the Displaced Homemakers Network. A statistical report and analysis of census data.
Women in the Middle Years: Current Knowledge and Directions for Research and Policy. Edited by Janet Zollinger Giele
ONE GOOD EXAMPLE: THE PHOENIX INSTITUTE, UTAH.
The Phoenix Institute, in Salt Lake City, Utah, began in March '85 with Vista volunteers and a small grant to pay for a part-time counselor. In March, 1987, the program secured stable funding with dollars from Utah's new marriage licence fee increase. The Phoenix Institute offers: 1) transitional counselling (both individual and group) which helps the women with emotional adjustments, 2) pre-employment training with assessments, careers exploration and information, resume writing and job search skills, and 3) training and employment information which includes financial aid, community and education resources, job listings and the like. Support includes child care and transportation assistance. A special feature is in-house training for computer literacy and to help conquer computer/machine aversion or anxiety. The most essential components are the counseling and assertiveness training, both of which build or re-build self-esteem and confidence. The program serves over 500 women a year, with 200 of those receiving intensive counseling.
The Phoenix Institute, 1800 South Temple, Suite 211, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115. (801) 484-2882.
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